National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the North Central River Forecast Center.

	Hydrograph			River at a Glance			Download			Probability Information Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental)

About this graph

Forecasts for the Des Moines River at Ottumwa are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

More information on datums is available at www.ngs.noaa.gov/faq.shtml

Return to Area Map

Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Zoom Level:14

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	19
Moderate Flood Stage:	15
Flood Stage:	11.5
Action Stage:	9
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 22.15 ft on 07/12/1993
(2) 20.60 ft on 06/17/2008
(3) 20.20 ft on 06/07/1947
(4) 20.04 ft on 08/11/2010
(5) 19.40 ft on 05/31/1903
(6) 18.33 ft on 04/11/1965
(7) 17.50 ft on 05/24/1944
(8) 17.49 ft on 04/01/1960
(9) 16.89 ft on 06/28/1954
(10) 16.80 ft on 06/10/1917
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 8.86 ft on 06/09/2022
(2) 9.04 ft on 02/28/2021
(3) 11.30 ft on 03/28/2020
(4) 16.28 ft on 05/29/2019
(5) 8.96 ft on 09/06/2018
(6) 12.03 ft on 04/05/2017
(7) 12.61 ft on 12/14/2015
(8) 13.74 ft on 06/26/2015
(9) 12.17 ft on 09/10/2014
(10) 15.99 ft on 04/18/2013
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
25	The City of Ottumwa is protected by a 25 foot levee.
23	The levee opening at the south end of the Market street bridge may need to be planked and sandbagged.
22	Sandbagging and planking operations may be needed for openings along Vine Street.
19.5	The Market street parking lot floods. The entrance to the Market street bridge is sandbagged.
18.5	Sewer backup will reach the street surface at Market and Commercial Streets.
18	The Fairport area along the railroad tracks floods. Sandbagging may be needed at the Vine Street diversion chamber. Evacuations may begin at the trailer court.
17.5	Sewer backup in basements occurs at businesses along Main street.
17	Paris Street floods. Market Street bridge is closed.
15	Flooding occurs in rural areas both upstream and downstream of Ottumwa.
12	Water affects Eldon.
11.5	Water affects the northeast side of Rabbit Run Road.
11	Bear Creek reaches bankfull.
10	Agricultural flooding occurs along most of the reach between Ottumwa and Eldon.
9	Water affects rural fields primarily downstream of Ottumwa.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information

How low could the river get?

USGS 7-Day Streamflow Duration Hydrograph for this location:

USGS Cumulative Streamflow Hydrograph for this location:

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
Des Moines Weather Forecast Office
9607 NW Beaver Dr.
Des Moines, IA 50131
(515) 270-2614
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:29 PM

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